The Truth We Won’t Admit: Drinking Is Healthy

http://www.psmag.com ^ | August 12, 2014 | Stanton Peele

[TangoLimaSierra]

The U.S. public health establishment buries overwhelming evidence that abstinence is a cause of heart disease and early death. People deserve to know that alcohol gives most of us a higher life expectancy—even if consumed above recommended limits.

[TangoLimaSierra]

I'm not much of a drinker but maybe I should start.

[C. Edmund Wright]

I'm not much of a drinker but maybe I should start.

Have red wine with dinner couple nights a week - and also some other beer etc from time to time. It is healthier than tee totaling - and besides, remember the "first miracle."

[MRadtke]

I like to brew my own beer. I understand that is the second oldest profession...

[Opinionated Blowhard]

I think this information has been around for a long time. People who drink in moderation live longer than people who abstain from alcohol. Of course, the issue is that some of those people who drink in moderation go on to drink heavily and that shortens their lifespan.

[DannyTN]

''In all fair-In all fairness to myself, I think I must say that I have a very good re-reason for bein' loaded tonight...I've b-I've been drinking all day!''

''I was in the service...Um...Oh and I might say that I was in the tough-toughest outfit of them all... I was in the Naval-Naval Air Force... Ever try forcin' air through a navel?''

''My-my late father-in-law was-was a Polish sea captain...when he passed away like they do sometimes, you know...his last request was that he be bur-buried at sea...two of my brothers-in-law drowned diggin' his grave.''

[cuban leaf]

Of course, the issue is that some of those people who drink in moderation go on to drink heavily and that shortens their lifespan.

---

I’ll drink to that!

[cuban leaf]

The same sort of thing is happening regarding marijuana - but more regarding a truly “medicinal purposes” bent.

[Lake Living]

“...and drink a little wine for thy stomach’s sake and thine oft infirmities”

Well, their first example in the article is doubtful in my opinion. I don’t think researchers can really make blanket pronouncements for all populations. For some people, maybe a lot of people, it might be true - but there are some individuals that have a genetic predisposition to addiction. There’s also the idea that people that like to drink a little more than they should are looking for such information to justify their actions and tastes. I’m still looking for research that says hot fudge sundays are good for you!!! I think a far more reliable and greater source of longevity was published yesterday (if you’re a man, that is). A very interesting read if you missed it. I’ll drink to that!

http://www.artofmanliness.com/2014/09/02/love-is-all-you-need-insights-from-the-longest-longitudinal-study-on-men-ever-conducted/

[GreenHornet]

Who knows? There may be some benefit to the MODERATE consumption of alcohol, but for problem drinkers, articles like this are just what they’re looking for to rationalize their continued abuse of alcohol, rather than seek help. (”Hey!....it’s good for me!”)

[Smokin' Joe]

Not unless the ‘oldest’ took credit...(someone had to make something to pay the tab)

[Leo Carpathian]

Alcohol is like Drano for the veins, dissolves crud, opens up pipes. Glass of alcohol with meal is the ticket to longevity.
Limit carbo’s, eat meat.
Add sun tan without filtering with “sunscreens” and you will outlive vegieRATs.

[Opinionated Blowhard]

Right. The article is wrong if it is suggesting that even heavy drinking is beneficial. Maybe its beneficial for a particular condition, but it clearly is bad for the overall health of the individual.

[yetidog]

How much is too much? That is, where does the cost/benefit curve start going down? A friend of mine who passed from liver cancer was asked by his doctor how often did he drink: He said in all seriousness “steadily.” 2 drinks a day is considered moderate, but I know a lot of (presently) healthy folks who exceed that by a drink or two.

[Cementjungle]

I don't know. I recall a study where they forced a rat to drink 12 quarts of Jack Daniels and it croaked.

Besides... it's the second-hand drinking that's really deadly. A person within 100 yards of someone drinking a glass of wine is likely to die sometime in their lifetime.

[Vigilanteman]

One of my Daddy's favorite jokes:

Remember, this was back in an age where Christian thought was welcomed in the public schools.

The third graders were all gathered round the table where the visiting lady from the WCTU was doing a demonstration.

Five live earthworms were placed in five small saucers on the table. She poured a different liquid in each saucer and asked the kids to observe-- water in one, milk in another, orange juice in a third, soda pop in the fourth and, finally whiskey, in the last one.

The earthworms swam happily in all of the liquids except for the whiskey, where it shriveled up and died.

"Now, boys and girls, said the lady from the WCTU," what does that tell you about drinking whiskey?"

One little boy's hand shot up and he answered "You should drink plenty of whiskey and you'll never have to worry about worms!"

[JRandomFreeper]

I know more old drunks than I do old doctors.

/johnny

[inpajamas]

Rumor has it Mark Twain was told by his doctor that if he would give up drinking, smoking, and chasing women, he would live longer, to which Twain responded, that life would sure seem a lot longer.

[Born to Conserve]

We evolved with beer, and a drink or two won’t hurt us, and may even be good. But, people who can’t take it or leave it are weak or sick, and people who compulsively binge are downright psycho.

[miss marmelstein]

Funny, funny man! I still watch the Dean Martin roasts and laugh.

[Veto!]

Don’t start. Alcohol kills millions of people.

They don’t all die. Some are maimed for life. The head of trauma surgery at largest Seattle hospital said that 60% of emergency cases are alcohol related.

Alcohol is addictive. For far too many people, it’s difficult if not impossible to stop or even regulate intake. Jails are full of people who committed crimes while under the influence of alcohol —